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Topic Review (Newest First)

02-26-2014 03:28 PM

hellosailor

Re: Recreational Sailboat vs. Tugboat with Barge: Who Has the Right of Way? - See mor

OK, so if I'm tacking up a marked traffic channel, centerboard down the full nine feet, with my two barges strung out well behind me, and I see an LPG tanker coming DOWN the same marked channel, riding high in the water and possibly empty, who has to blink first?

Rule of Tonnage is all so much simpler...

02-26-2014 02:01 PM

L124C

Re: Recreational Sailboat vs. Tugboat with Barge: Who Has the Right of Way? - See mor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rozz

I have had this happen here (in san diego)... I give way. So u have to have ur comfortable gf hold ur wine glass for a few min, who cares? Yes I get the law, but how about common courtesy and sense?

I agree... However, you might want to leave the fact that you are drinking alcohol at the helm out out your argument!
If there was a incident, I can hear the testimony now: "I did every thing in my power to avoid collision. I even put down my glass of wine!".

02-25-2014 11:17 PM

Rozz

Re: Recreational Sailboat vs. Tugboat with Barge: Who Has the Right of Way? - See mor

I have had this happen here (in san diego)... I give way. So u have to have ur comfortable gf hold ur wine glass for a few min, who cares? Yes I get the law, but how about common courtesy and sense?

02-25-2014 08:26 PM

dabnis

Re: Recreational Sailboat vs. Tugboat with Barge: Who Has the Right of Way? - See mor

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yamsailor

In open waters, the sailboat is the Stand-On vessel. If in a restricted channel or fairway and if the tugboat is going down bound with a following current, the tugboat would have right-of-way--Note: In this situation the tug-boat is NOT STAND-ON, she has RIGHT-OF-WAY--which is a big difference. If the tugboat is traveling against the current, then the sailboat must not impede the passage of the tugboat.

Interesting. However, after surviving two very, very close calls of being run down, both my fault, what it says in the book may not matter, except maybe for legal purposes. One is dead a long time.

Paul T

02-25-2014 05:55 PM

Yamsailor

Re: Recreational Sailboat vs. Tugboat with Barge: Who Has the Right of Way? - See mor

In open waters, the sailboat is the Stand-On vessel. If in a restricted channel or fairway and if the tugboat is going down bound with a following current, the tugboat would have right-of-way--Note: In this situation the tug-boat is NOT STAND-ON, she has RIGHT-OF-WAY--which is a big difference. If the tugboat is traveling against the current, then the sailboat must not impede the passage of the tugboat.

I once asked a merchant captain who has right of way a pushing tug boat or a sailboat?. He said if the tug doesn't display restricted to manuerve he is a powerboat, thus sailboat has right of way.

02-08-2014 03:22 PM

dabnis

Re: Recreational Sailboat vs. Tugboat with Barge: Who Has the Right of Way? - See mor

Quote:

Originally Posted by L124C

If you use this rule, you are assuming:
1. There is someone at the helm of the tug (other than Otto).
2. The crew didn't neglect to post the restricted signals.
The Safety Board report cited previously shows these might not be safe assumptions.

As the smaller vessel, we are in the same position as a cyclist insisting on his right of way with a car. We could be "right, dead right" or just dead.

I can't even tell you what the restricted signals are, because I don't intend to push the issue. It's simply more trouble than it's worth for pleasure craft.

I often sail in the Oakland Estuary. The narrow estuary includes a major port, with all the commercial traffic that goes with it (talk about "restricted"!). Though I fire up the stink pot anytime I get in a tight situation, I've rarely needed to put it in gear, and manage to stay out of the way. If I can do it there, why not in open water?

Re: Recreational Sailboat vs. Tugboat with Barge: Who Has the Right of Way? - See mor

Quote:

Originally Posted by trantor12020

I once asked a merchant captain who has right of way a pushing tug boat or a sailboat?. He said if the tug doesn't display restricted to manuerve he is a powerboat, thus sailboat has right of way.

If you use this rule, you are assuming:
1. There is someone at the helm of the tug (other than Otto).
2. The crew didn't neglect to post the restricted signals.
The Safety Board report cited previously shows these might not be safe assumptions.

As the smaller vessel, we are in the same position as a cyclist insisting on his right of way with a car. We could be "right, dead right" or just dead.

I can't even tell you what the restricted signals are, because I don't intend to push the issue. It's simply more trouble than it's worth for pleasure craft.

I often sail in the Oakland Estuary. The narrow estuary includes a major port, with all the commercial traffic that goes with it (talk about "restricted"!). Though I fire up the stink pot anytime I get in a tight situation, I've rarely needed to put it in gear, and manage to stay out of the way. If I can do it there, why not in open water?

02-07-2014 08:34 AM

seafrontiersman

Re: Recreational Sailboat vs. Tugboat with Barge: Who Has the Right of Way? - See mor

((b) in construing and complying with these rules due regard shall be had to all dangers of navigation and collision and to any special circumstances, including the limitations of the vessels involved, which may make a departure from these Rules necessary to avoid danger.

02-07-2014 08:20 AM

seafrontiersman

Re: Recreational Sailboat vs. Tugboat with Barge: Who Has the Right of Way? - See mor

Quote:

Originally Posted by trantor12020

I once asked a merchant captain who has right of way a pushing tug boat or a sailboat?. He said if the tug doesn't display restricted to manuerve he is a powerboat, thus sailboat has right of way.

You are exactly right, a tug-and-barge is simply a motor vessel. However, a prudent sailor will give her a wide berth, make large and obvious course changes, and communicate in plenty of time if necessary.

Regardless of the rules, although most tugs are operated by real professionals, I encounter tugboat drivers on an almost daily basis who are drunks and/or complete morons. It's all fun and games until you get t-boned by a loaded tank barge!

02-07-2014 05:58 AM

trantor12020

Re: Recreational Sailboat vs. Tugboat with Barge: Who Has the Right of Way? - See mor

I once asked a merchant captain who has right of way a pushing tug boat or a sailboat?. He said if the tug doesn't display restricted to manuerve he is a powerboat, thus sailboat has right of way.

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